SEOUL – South Korea is commemorating the 70th anniversary of its enduring alliance with the United States in grand style, featuring a vibrant public information campaign that includes a K-pop-inspired rap song. The campaign serves as a testament to the deepening ties between the two nations amid escalating global tensions.
The alliance, forged during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, has remained a cornerstone of South Korea’s security. Presently, approximately 28,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, a presence that has consistently riled North Korea. North Korea justifies its pursuit of nuclear weapons by pointing to what it perceives as a threat from a U.S.-South Korea plan to invade its territory.
While no South Korean government has ever seriously questioned the alliance, and public support remains solid, if not unanimous, former U.S. President Donald Trump stirred concerns when he suggested the possibility of U.S. forces withdrawing from the region.
During a visit to the White House earlier this year, South Korea’s conservative President, Yoon Suk Yeol, underscored the significance of the alliance and shared a moment of musical camaraderie by performing “American Pie” for President Joe Biden, further emphasizing the enduring bond between the two nations.
